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WHICH GRAPHICS CARD?

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hi guys (and girls)

Just got ripped by CEX from buying a BROKEN ATI HD3850 off them. they said a 550 watt PSU is ok. it Wasn't working. Then they said i need a 600 watt one, don't worry, if they think it's not broken, i'll sell it back to them. He He HE :lol:

so, i have a buget for under £100 (yes i live in the UK) and i want to buy a NEW (preffible an Nvidia), Graphics card which is about the same performance of my old ATI HD3850

i have a 550 watt PSU which has a 17A 6pin Graphics Card Connector, i also have a Molex to 6pin Graphics Connector.

i want it to atleast Smothly Run Crisys on all Meduim setting (Anything higher is a bonus! )
and Can pump out HD video

So which Graphic Card is Right For me do you think?

Any and all help Apreiciated

X

Add a reply

17A 6pin ? do you mean you have only 17 amps on the 12v rail? Can you post the specific power supply? cause that's horrifically low for a 550w psu.

Radeon 4770 is the bang for the buck at the moment, though here in the states the 4850 is actually cheaper.

Reply to Dustpuppy

look at the HIS 4870 512MB, it's about £100 at OCUK at the moment but you'll probably need a new PSU.

Reply to Helloworld_98

A 9600Gt is good for u or a HD 4670 ( Almost same as a Hd 3850)

Reply to teja92

@ naf456: Scan, Overclockers, Novatech, CCL, E-buyer, Pixmania and Microdirect spring to mind as as a start for your search.
If your PSU has 36A on the 12v rails (2x18) or more then look for a HD 4870 or GTX 250/9800GTX+/GTX in order, high to low performance.
With less power: 9800GT, HD4850 or HD4770.
With a little patience you should find all of those at 100 Pounds or less. Do n't forget to check the prices include VAT, and delivery can add a fair bit, so factor that into the deal when checking.
Like this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] ubcat=1402

Reply to coozie7

Thank guys.
i Still quite a noob at this.
the PSU i have is a HEC-550TD-PTE

i don't know what rails are. so what are they?

it's the PSU from my Dads MESH PC

Message edited by naf456 on 05-30-2009 at 05:53:49 PM

Reply to naf456

kk You should be fine with that power supply. Though it could still be malfunctioning (I doubt this).

You have 2 12v rails, one is 18a one is 17a. However, that doesn't mean your system will deliver 35a of juice over the 12v. Your powersupply is rated at 550w and 185w is pumped over the 5v + 3.3v rails.

550w-185w = 365w, 365w / 12v = 30.417a , so you probably have somewhere around 28-30 amps on your 12v rails. This should be sufficient for any of the cards you're considering.

Message edited by Dustpuppy on 05-30-2009 at 08:14:53 PM

Reply to Dustpuppy

In that case, I'd take the HD4870 off the list due to its quite high power requirements. All the others will be fine.
I would recommend the GTS250, the one from Overclockers seems quite a bargain, but, as always, check prices first.

Message edited by coozie7 on 05-30-2009 at 08:32:44 PM

Reply to coozie7

i was actually looking at a Nvidia 8800GT 512mb for £98.

is That a good Graphics Card?

and wheres the Best place to buy a Graphics Card?

i have a pc world down the road from me, but its quite Expensive and they have Really low Stock on components lately.

Message edited by naf456 on 05-30-2009 at 10:14:42 PM

Reply to naf456

The GTS250 I linked to is faster and cheaper.
PC World are expensive, use the E-tailers I listed instead if you can.

Reply to coozie7

ya, the gts250 is a rebadged gtx 9800.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to neon neophyte

neon neophyte wrote :

ya, the gts250 is a rebadged gtx 9800.

lol , its also the same price and runs colder with a few more transistors. and its more of a re-badged 9800GTX+ . =3

Reply to Gin Fushicho

.... Go for the Ati 4770 it uses very little power and beats the 9800gt. It's the best performance/price ratio atm.... Gt 9800/8800 performes worse and uses more energy... If the 4770 is not avaiable go for the 4850 that's about the same performance (maybe a bit more) at nearly the same price with still good power requirements!

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to erdinger

What Erdinger?
coozie7 said take that off the list cos its to high in power?

so you guys think the ASUS nvidia GTS 250 from overclockers. OK!

Reply to naf456

hey, i've red about PSU's but i don't understand it still.
how do i know what rails a graphics card choses and how can i tell from Amps and volts what wattage it is?

i thought you just:

Amp x Volts = Watts.

my PSU says:

ACOutput:____230Vac 50Hz 7a
DC output:___+3.3V_+5V___+12v1__+12v2__-12v__+5vab
MAX. A______30A___38A___18A____17A____0.3A__2A
+5V&+3.3V combined 185W Total wattage :550

is this Capable of pumping a GTS 250 or even a 4770?

i Didn't know i had Dual Rails.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by naf456 on 05-31-2009 at 09:58:05 PM

Reply to naf456

erdinger wrote :

It performs close to the same but not better then a GTS 250 , but it does consume less power and will beat it in Xfire if your going against a GTS250 SLI team.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

naf456 wrote :

hey, i've red about PSU's but i don't understand it still.
how do i know what rails a graphics card choses and how can i tell from Amps and volts what wattage it is?

is this Capable of pumping a GTS 250 or even a 4770?

i Didn't know i had Dual Rails.

You want to look at the 12V rail , and the Amp's look a little low I'd go for a higher quality PSU if I were you.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

You're correct Watts = Amps * Volts,

However you'll note that if you add up all the Amps * volts on your power supply it'll quickly excede the 550w that your machine is rated for

eg:
3.3*30 + 5*38 + 12*35 = 709w, yet it's only a 550w psu.

Generally good power supplies will state what the combined 12v output is in watts, but sometimes such as in this case they leave that off and you have to extrapolate. Since it says that 185w goes over the +5v/3.3v rails it's a safe bet that at a minimum the 12v rail can pump out the other 315w. However, it's just educated guesswork without proper documentation.

I'm 100% certain that if your PSU is working as it should, you are able to power a 4770 , GTS 250, or Radeon 4850.

Message edited by Dustpuppy on 06-01-2009 at 05:19:13 AM

Reply to Dustpuppy

SHOULD , I dont think it will unfortunately.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

thanks ,DustPuppy.

how much money should i spend on a PSU?

if i spend 100 on a PSU then 86 on a graphic card....wohha, £186

i don't know about you guys £186 quite a lot to me.

in maplins they do a 750W PSU which has dual 12V rails and the Ampage of 18A 17A for £40 (from £80), but i guess that defetes the Object.

Message edited by naf456 on 06-01-2009 at 08:24:50 AM

Reply to naf456

This is one of the better deals:

http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/19 [...] pc-po.html

This has 4X18A 12v rails while CCL and Overclockers have Antec Basiq 550W supplies (3X20A 12v rails) for about the same price, As for card, well, you'll have to hunt around again

Message edited by coozie7 on 06-01-2009 at 03:07:03 PM

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
Reply to coozie7

i've search around for a Cheaper price.

ebuyer has it for £55 . :pt1cable:
and ebuyer has a better seller rating the Overclockers and Pixmania put togher

Reply to naf456

^ yeah but ebuyer takes more time to navigate along with most of those bad sellers ratings for OCUK coming from a few years back.

Reply to Helloworld_98

@ naf456: Glad to see you're doing your own research, mate, nice find!
Now all you need is a card
Let us know how you get along.

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
Reply to coozie7

hi guys.

I don't want to REALLY buy psu cos that leaves me with only a small amount of cash for a graphics card (£45)
100 my buget and i have to stick to it.
also i want a Graphics card which is atleast supported for the sims 3. (i know i'm asking quite alot now.)
but the GTS250 isn't supported. heres the list:

NVIDIA GeForce series
FX 5900, FX 5950
6200, 6500, 6600, 6800,
7200, 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950
8400, 8500, 8600, 8800
9600, 9800, GTX 260, GTX 280

ATI Radeon™ series
9500, 9600, 9800
X300, X600, X700, X800, X850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
2400, 2600, 2900
3450, 3650, 3850, 3870,
4850, 4870
Intel® Extreme Graphics
GMA X3x00 series

on amazon they have a sweet 9600gt for 66 quid. i know the clock speed is 650 MHz compared to the GTS250 736MHZ (something like that) but it is supported and 20 quid cheaper which is a huge plus for me.
the only problem i want to know is if my PSU can run it and is it really any Good for high end gaming.
(what i mean buy that, is that it can play crysis on meduim graphics easyily.
i'm only a 14 year old boy (please don't get put off) so i don't really need Super Duper graphics card that need need liquid nitrogen cooling or anything like that :lol:
also i just thought about buying a new ATI HD3850.

Message edited by naf456 on 06-02-2009 at 08:37:22 AM

Reply to naf456

That list for Sims 3 is out of date and incomplete, the game will run on any new card including the GTS250 and HD4770.
Do not compare cards just by their clock speeds, the issue is far more complex and involves several factors including: Memory size and type (GDDR2,3,4 or 5), memory interface width (256, 448, 512 bits for newer cards) and the design of the actual graphics chip itself.
The 9600GT is a mid/low end gaming card these days. It will run Crysis at med/low setting as long as the resoloution is kept below 16x10 and you do not use AA but the card is always going to be what it is; A medium/low end card with performance to match.
Within your budget the 9600GT or HD4770 offer good price/performance:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] een/6.html

As always, check the warranty details; It is false economy to buy something cheaply, only to find you have little or no warranty. This is even more importaint if you have limited funds and cannot replace a faulty unit.
OH, and I could only find 4770s' on Amazon: about 75 pounds.

Message edited by coozie7 on 06-02-2009 at 03:36:18 PM

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
Reply to coozie7

^+1 Its way out of date and jsut because its not on the list does not mean it wont work , many times it does not list the newest best cards.

You should be fine with the 4770 if your going to play sims 3 but if your going Nvidia and want ot play the sims 3 but probably wont go hairball with other games , just get the 8600GTS or the 8800/9800.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

sorry Gin Fushicho, the graphics card which arn't listed won't work at all.

and are you sure guys that theres a new updated version. i got this version from EA themself.

what about the 9800GT. i wanna think of all the possibilties i've got

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to naf456

naf456 wrote :

sorry Gin Fushicho, the graphics card which arn't listed won't work at all.

and are you sure guys that theres a new updated version. i got this version from EA themself.

what about the 9800GT. i wanna think of all the possibilties i've got

BULL ***. Crysis doesnt list anything above the 9800GT but hmmnnnn.. lets seee... OH! The GTX 260 runs it, the GTX275 runs it, the GTX280 runs it , the GTS250 runs it. etc.

I know your new and all but still... that should be something you know.

I could list plenty of other games I play as well. Like Diablo 2 only lists an 8MB video card! do you know how old those things are?! I'm still playing it on my GTX260 and 4870!

Message edited by Gin Fushicho on 06-02-2009 at 04:50:29 PM

Reply to Gin Fushicho

ok i'm Sorry Gin Fushicho. i didn't mean to get you Angry. now looking at my post i did act pretty stupid.

how about a 1GB 9600GT bye gigabyte. or should i just forget about 9600 completely

heres the link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-G [...] 835&sr=1-8

i understand you guys know heck of a lot more then me and i apreciate your help.
hey, atleast i know more then most people at my age, when i talk about CPU's , my friend said 'how will that play the disc Faster? :lol: my friend arn't into PC's the way i am

if i want to in the future use either crossfire or SLI (say 2 years from now), with whatever graphics card i got, whichs ones cheaper and easy to install, Nvidia's SLI or Ati's , Crossfire?

Message edited by naf456 on 06-02-2009 at 05:15:48 PM

Reply to naf456

I'm sorry to. I just woke and I've been getting injured left and right this past week so I'm very irritable. But since your budget is only 100 Euro I suggest that maybe you look for an 8800 of any kind except GS and if you can find it get it , if not the yes get the 9600. I dont know how to search for anything foreign other then Japanese so i'm sorry I cant help more.

And both are equally as difficult/easy to install in SLI/Xfire.

Message edited by Gin Fushicho on 06-02-2009 at 05:21:24 PM

Reply to Gin Fushicho

thanks!

i've Got SO MANY Questions

i've seen the GTS250 on novatech, here:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech [...] ml?NOV-250

and here:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech [...] ASU-GTS250

there pretty much the same price, but is the ASUS one better sinces it's a better company, cos the novatech one would look SO cool in my Jeantech-Aqua case.

Reply to naf456

@ naf456: I agree with Gin Fushicho but you should really, really not worry about SLI or CF just yet, two years is a long time in PC terms, and it's even longer when you're 14 (ah yes, I remember it well)
The 9600 is not a bad card as such, just a little slow and old (like me), but then again it's also getting cheap.
If you can extend your budget to this I would recommend you get it, otherwise the 9600 is a sound choice within your budget.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_s [...] words=4770

Did n't we already agree not to go for the GTS 250 due to power concerns? Anyway, it's not that much faster than the 4770, which is also cheaper.
Oh, and if you want to go for the 4770, you'd better get a move on, those are the only ones I could find in the UK!

Message edited by coozie7 on 06-02-2009 at 05:32:57 PM

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
Reply to coozie7

Sorry Stupid question

Reply to naf456

WWWOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW :na: :na:

LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-8800-5 [...] 817&sr=8-1

I DON'T CARE IF IT'S ANY GOOD, £111 OFF, I'M BUYING IT!

64 QUID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

is this graphics card any GOOD?

the USER REVIEWS SAY IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :love:

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to naf456

That Novatech one looks like it has a higher quality heatsink , I would get that one if it were me paying for it. and if you have any questions about anythin computer related you can PM me , and I WILL let you know truthfully whether or not I know anything about it. lol.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

No Wait, 320MB no good.

But does it make a difference, you know, 320MB of memory?

and also what does it mean by 500M?

this one still looks ands Sounds better:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Nvidia [...] 817&sr=8-1

i'm quessing Both these cards will work on my 550 watt PSU, right?

Message edited by naf456 on 06-02-2009 at 05:44:20 PM

Reply to naf456

naf456 wrote :

WWWOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW :na: :na:

LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-8800-5 [...] 817&sr=8-1

I DON'T CARE IF IT'S ANY GOOD, £111 OFF, I'M BUYING IT!

64 QUID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

is this graphics card any GOOD?

the USER REVIEWS SAY IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :love:

WOW thats a good deal , yeah and 8800GTS preforms just slightly under a 9800GTS and since its 320MB (new games recommend 512MB) you could play most games and definitly the sims , its an awesome card for a 1st build. if you want to go cheap get that card for sure. Though I still think you should get that Novatech card.

Heres a 512MB 8800GTS it can play most games, it was the 1st one that could play Crysis with anything at high. http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Nvidia [...] 817&sr=8-1

Message edited by Gin Fushicho on 06-02-2009 at 05:42:54 PM

Reply to Gin Fushicho

O______O This is the 8800 ultra if i'm not mistaken 640MBs usually means it is. http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-nVidia [...] 817&sr=8-1

for 50 Euro thats a steal.

Crap.. I jsut saw its out of stock. I can see why though.

Message edited by Gin Fushicho on 06-02-2009 at 05:44:49 PM

Reply to Gin Fushicho

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Those 8800 are the old G80 core version!
The 9600 is a far better card, chek that list from Toms I posted!

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
Reply to coozie7

coozie7 wrote :

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Those 8800 are the old G80 core version!
The 9600 is a far better card, chek that list from Toms I posted!

Wait... so thats not the G92? Guess that must be why its cheap.

Message edited by Gin Fushicho on 06-02-2009 at 05:50:19 PM

Reply to Gin Fushicho

@ Gin Fushicho: No, the G92 all came with 256 or 512 MB, the G80 had either 320 or 640 Mb.
@ naf456: Memory makes a difference, the more the merrier just do not pay too much more for a 1Gb card over a 512Mb one (not more than 10%).
The 500M refers to the card clockspeed by the look of it.

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
Reply to coozie7

I still think he should get that GTS250 novatech with the nice heatsink. lol. I want one now. But yeah maybe you should get that 512MB 8800 you saw Naf.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

i just read your posts, i thought you just writ that the old G80 cores are bad, now you would like me to buy it?

and i really Want the GTS250 and a New PSU but my budget says no along with my conscience
the 4770 likes like a SWEET GPU but like in my 1st post, i prefer Nvidia, (well my dad preffers them, and he more experinced then me)
then again i have had 3 Ati cards and they all never failed, for e.g in my 2nd computer (yes i am a 14 year old with 2 computers)
the radeon 9600XT is 10 years old

+i really :love: this :pt1cable:
Reminds me of my dad :lol:

i'm still looking!

Message edited by naf456 on 06-02-2009 at 07:25:34 PM

Reply to naf456

Well the 512MB is a G92 not a G80 the 640MB is the G80. Thats why I want you to get the 512MB.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

so you want me to get a 8800 but not the 64 quid one, right

how about this :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Nvidia [...] 322&sr=8-2

what if i Dual GPU Now.
buy a 9600. save up, then buy a SLI motherboard and another 9600. actually, NAH

Message edited by naf456 on 06-02-2009 at 07:48:04 PM

Reply to naf456

This one. http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Nvidia [...] 817&sr=8-1

Edit: lol yeah thats the one. xD you got it.

Message edited by Gin Fushicho on 06-02-2009 at 07:40:35 PM

Reply to Gin Fushicho

550 watts seems a little low, it probly can handle what you've got but i think a 700 watt for around 80-90 bucs will play it safe imo

Reply to snow cakes

He cant afford another PSU right now.

Reply to Gin Fushicho

Ok so heres my options i've got.

i can buy a new graphics card, 8800,4770,GTS250 and hope they'll work for another 7 weeks on a 550 watt PSU till i buy a higher Watt one.

or

i can buy a new 9600GT card and in two weeks time i can upgrade PSU (which i think is the better the better option) then cope with that until i can afford a SLI MOBO and another GPU.

or

i can buy a PSU now and save again to get a GPU.

the GPU's i have in mind are the(from most impressed:

GTS250, HD4770, 8800GT,9600GT, HD3870,

Reply to naf456

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